Committee publication · Correspondence · 15 May 2025
Correspondence from the Foreign Secretary and Defence Secretary relating to the Security and Defence Partnership (SDP), dated 08.05.2025
From: Foreign Affairs Committee
Inquiry: The UK-EU reset: rebuilding a strategic partnership in uncertain times
Summary
The Foreign Secretary and Defence Secretary inform the Foreign Affairs Committee that the EU has initiated negotiations for a Security and Defence Partnership (SDP) with the UK, beginning as of this letter. The Government aims to strengthen UK-EU cooperation on security and defence while affirming NATO's primacy and existing bilateral relationships with European partners.
Key findings
- Council of the European Union has requested the European External Action Service to negotiate an SDP with the UK; negotiations have commenced
- The partnership will address common threats and build on EU's existing third-country partnership agreements, recognising the unique nature of UK-EU security relations
- Government commits to ensuring NATO remains the cornerstone of shared European security within any future partnership framework
- Ministers have simultaneously notified the European Affairs Committee, International Relations and Defence Committee, and International Agreements Committee
- Government pledges to update Parliament upon signing of any agreement
Tone
ProceduralTopics
international-relationsdefence-securityeu-relationsnato
Key actors
David Lammy, John Healey, Emily Thornberry, Council of the European Union, European External Action Service, NATO
Notable line
“The Partnership will build on the EU's existing partnership agreements with other third countries, while recognising the unique nature of our security relationship.”
Key Quotes
“… the Council of the European Union has asked the European External Action Service to negotiate a Security and Defence Partnership (SDP) with the UK and that negotiations have therefore begun.”
“The Government is committed to ensuring that any future partnership recognises NATO is the cornerstone of our shared European Security, as well as our efforts to enhance our bilateral ties with our European partners.”
Source · parliament.uk record ↗